Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance responded by announcing that beginning August 1, the DA's Office will decline to prosecute marijuana possession and smoking cases. Bronx DA Darcel Clark , meanwhile, urged the NYPD to issue criminal court summonses during stops for public use and possession of marijuana.

"The arrest itself has impact on one trying to conduct their lives that a summons doesn't," Sharpton said.

The NYPD Working Group will be comprised of a cross-section of executive leadership, who will review department policies and procedures regarding arrests and summonses for marijuana-related offenses. The Working Group will also be charged with seeking outside expert opinion from academics, advocacy organizations, prosecution and defense bar, Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, and other non-profits.